Abstract:
Embodiments for changing bit rates in streaming media are provided. As portions of a streaming media file are downloaded for playback, the size of the portion is compared with an expected size determined prior to initiating playback of streaming AV data. The portion of the media file may be padded such that the size of the portion matches the size specified prior to initiating playback of streaming AV data.
Abstract:
In an embodiment, a method comprises receiving a first data streamed from a first server computer at a first site; collecting a first throughput data for the first site based, at least in part, on a first throughput of the first data streamed from the first server computer; receiving a second data streamed from a second server computer at a second site; collecting a second throughput data for the second site based, at least in part, on a second throughput of the second data streamed from the second server computer; switching from the second server computer at the second site, to a third server computer at the first site, based, at least in part, on a comparison between the first throughput data and the second throughput data; wherein the method is performed by one or more special-purpose computing devices.
Abstract:
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for identifying active streaming connections associated with a particular user account. Each active streaming connection transmits heartbeat packets periodically to a server that tracks the receipt of the heartbeat packets. If, for a particular streaming connection, the server stops receiving heartbeat packets, then the server is able to infer that the streaming connection has been terminated.
Abstract:
In an embodiment, a method comprises using a first server computer, executing a process that is configured to generate virtual computer instances; receiving a request to generate a first custom virtual computer instance, wherein the request identifies one or more software packages to install on the first custom virtual computer instance; copying a first pre-configured volume image onto a volume of a data storage device, wherein the volume includes one or more base software packages in a file system; mounting the volume to the first server computer, in response to receiving the request; installing each of the one or more software packages on the volume; unmounting the volume; creating a snapshot of the volume; registering the snapshot as a registered custom volume image.
Abstract:
In an embodiment, a method comprises receiving an input defining organization of one or more universal data elements; generating a universal schema that defines organization of the one or more universal data elements based on the input; associating the universal schema with a specialized plug-in, wherein the specialized plug-in maps the one or more universal data elements with data elements in one or more specialized databases maintained by a specialized data store; receiving, from a computer, a request to receive data stored in the specialized data store and comprising parameters based on the universal schema; transforming the request using the specialized plug-in to produce a specialized query; sending the specialized query to the specialized data store to execute the specialized query; receiving a specialized result set from the specialized data store; sending, to the computer, a result set based on specialized result set.
Abstract:
Embodiments for changing bit rates in streaming media are provided. As portions of a streaming media file are downloaded for playback, the size of the portion is compared with an expected size determined prior to initiating playback of streaming AV data. The portion of the media file may be padded such that the size of the portion matches the size specified prior to initiating playback of streaming AV data.
Abstract:
Techniques for predictively scaling a distributed application are described. Embodiments could monitor performance of an application within a cloud computing environment over a first window of time to collect historical performance data. Here, the application comprises a plurality of application instances. A workload of the application could be monitored over a second window of time to collect historical workload data. Embodiments could analyze both the historical performance data and the historical workload data to determine one or more scaling patterns for the application. Upon determining a present state of the application matches one of the one or more scaling patterns, a plan for predictively scaling the application could be determined. Embodiments could then predictively scale the plurality of application instances, based on the determined plan.
Abstract:
Techniques are provided for increasing the efficiency and efficacy of DNS clients. In one technique, DNS clients log information about performance of one or more DNS servers that the DNS clients use to resolve DNS resolution requests. The DNS clients send, to a control server, performance data regarding the DNS resolution requests and/or subsequent connections to servers associated with resolved domain names. Based on the performance data, the control server sends, to one or more DNS clients, configuration data that adjusts the configuration of the DNS clients. For example, if a particular DNS server is taking a considerable amount of time to resolve DNS resolution requests from one or more DNS clients, then the control server may send, to a plurality of DNS clients, configuration data that indicates a different set of one or more DNS servers for the plurality of DNS clients to contact for subsequent DNS resolution requests.
Abstract:
Techniques are provided with which a subscriber to a media viewing service, which is configured for viewing media items such as TV shows or movies using streaming video delivery or other viewing techniques, may recommend one or more played or viewed media items to one or more friends in media viewing services or social networking systems that the subscriber uses. The subscriber may receive notifications when the friends view or play the recommended media items, and may contribute implicit feedback to a separate recommendation system regarding a recommended media item even when the subscriber has not explicitly rated the recommended media item. Subscribers also receive rapid indications, at the time that the subscribers are preparing to make recommendations of media items, about whether friends have already played or viewed the media items. In one embodiment, a recommendation may be communicated to a selected friend using a single operation of a pointing device.
Abstract:
Managing rental items using hierarchical storage locations without putting away returned items. One method comprises receiving units of a rental item at a processing facility. Each of two or more local storage locations is associated with a different successively longer time period of subsequent processing for that storage location. The rental item is associated with a net average shipping quantity and a buffer inventory quantity for each time period. An excess number of the units is determined as the rental item units that are not needed for current orders. A first quantity of the excess units is placed in a first local storage location. The first quantity is based on the net average shipping quantity for the first location; in a second location, a second quantity of the excess units is placed. The second quantity is based on the buffer inventory quantity for the second location and a growth factor.